Molasses Caramel Biscuits

The coziest and most comforting feelings are brought about by gathering around warm delicacies on chilly winter days.

The way the sunlight reflects off an antique copper pot and intensifies the shadows upon the ridges of a flaky biscuit provide a depth and dimension that adds to the wintery sensation of hygge: a warm atmosphere where we enjoy the good things in life with good people around us.

Just as shadows are nothing without light to contrast against, the foods prepared below meld saltiness with sweet molasses, a soft creaminess to floury flakiness and piquant spices with creamy savory cheeses, served alongside a dark chocolate Stout.

Instructions:

Either working with a box grater over a large bowl or using the large grating blade of a food processor, quickly grate the frozen sticks of butter and then freeze the butter for at least 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder, salt, sugar, and baking soda, and freeze the dry ingredients for the same amount of time as the butter.

Scrape the frozen butter into the dry ingredients and toss briefly to combine. Pour in the buttermilk and stir just until it forms solid dough. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and, using your hands, mold the dough into a 10-by-7-inch rectangle.

Fold the rectangle in thirds like a letter and then rotate 90 degrees. Using a rolling pin, flatten the dough again into a 10-by-7-inch rectangle. Repeat the folding, turning, and rolling process 3 more times, ending with the dough shaped into a 12-by-10-inch rectangle about 1⁄2 inch thick.

Trim the edges so you have a sharp, clean rectangle and then cut this rectangle into 12 equal squares. Space the biscuits at least 3 inches apart on 2 parchment paper-lined baking sheets and freeze for at least 2 hours or up to 3 days.

Heat the oven to 425°. Brush each biscuit with some melted butter and then sprinkle with sea salt. Bake 1 sheet of biscuits for 10 minutes. Then reduce the oven temperature to 400°, rotate the baking sheet, and bake the biscuits until puffed and golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Transfer the biscuits to a rack and repeat to bake the second sheet of biscuits. Let the biscuits cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Molasses Caramel Sauce

Make 2 cups

2 cups sugar

¼ cup molasses

½ cup cream

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

1 ounce butter

1/3 cup sour cream

Instructions:

In small pan, moisten sugar and cook until deep amber in color. Meanwhile, combine the rest of the ingredients in a small saucepan and heat until the salt is dissolved. Stir the cream mixture well to combine the salt and butter.

Quickly whisk cream mixture into the caramel, being careful not to scrape the sides of the pan. Let cool for a few minutes in the pan, then pour into container without scraping the sides of the pan.

Watch out it will be hot!

Maple Whipped Cream

1 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions:

Whip cream until billowy. Add maple syrup and whip until it holds a peak. Not too stiff. You still want a smooth and soft texture.

To assemble:

Split a cooled biscuit and place on serving plate. Scoop an oversized scoop of the maple whipped cream in the center.

Place the top half of the biscuit on and press lightly. Pour warm caramel sauce over just before serving.

Top with a few flakes of Maldon Flake Sea Salt. Voila!

Red Wine Poached Pears

Serves 6

4 cups red wine ( we used an inexpensive, medium-dry wine)

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 cups water

1 cup orange juice

Peels from 1 orange

2 cinnamon sticks

3 star anise

6 juniper berries

6 firm but ripe pears, peeled, stems left intact (or just peeled)

Instructions:

Combine everything. Save for the pears in a large, heavy saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer.

Add pears, and bring everything back up to a simmer.

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer slowly until pears are tender when pierced with a knife, about 25 minutes. (Start checking at 20 minutes! Depending on the ripeness of your pears, this could take slightly less or more time.)

Transfer pears to a plate or platter. Boil liquid in saucepan until reduced to 3 cups, about 20 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead—just cover and chill pears in the poaching liquid) Take one cup of the poaching liquid

Take one cup of the poaching liquid and reduce it down into syrup to use for drizzling when you serve.